One-piece carton and blank

ABSTRACT

A one-piece hinged lid carton and blank for producing the same; the assembled and erected carton comprising double-thickness front, top, bottom and end, all symmetrical about a single thickness back wall; erection of the blank and carton being minimal; the carton including novel locking means having lock tabs and cutouts which are oriented into coplanar relationship when the carton is erected and including gusset panel assemblies orienting parts into assembled and locked relation; the carton being particularly adapted for packaging umbrellas wherein a carrying strap projects through apertured end walls.

United States Patent 1191 Engel 1 i 1541 ONE-PIECE CARTON AND BLANK [75] lnventorz Karl Engel, Pierrefonds, Quebec,

' V Canada 7 [73] Assignee: Telesco Brophey Limited, Montreal,

, Quebec, Canada 22 Filed; Jan, 21, 1911 21 Appl. No; 108,439

[52] US. Cl. ..229/31'FS, 229/33 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 5/24 [58] Field of Search. ..229/31 1, 33, 34 B, 35, 36, V 229/41 R [56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,914,234 11/1959 Hazelwood..; ...229/33 x. 1,778,462 10/1930 Nourse et al..... i

, 3,049,280 8/1962 Frankenstein 6/1964 Berg ..'..229/31 FS 14 1 Jan. 2, 1973 3,134,531 5/1964 Hardy, Jr

3,355,086 11/1967 lngle ..229/33 X 3,381,809 5/1968 Thorley ..229/3l PS X 3,545,665 12/1970 Nimaroff ..229/31 FS Primary ExahzineF-Davis T. Moorhead Attorney-Alan Swabey 7] ABSTRACT A one-piece hinged lid carton and blank for producing the same; the assembled and erected carton comprising double-thickness front, top, bottom and end, all symmetrical about a single thickness back wall; erection of the blank and carton being minimal; the carton including novel locking means having lock tabs and cutouts which are oriented into coplanar relationship when the carton is erected and including gusset panel assemblies orienting parts into assembled and locked relation; the carton being particularly adapted for packaging umbrellas wherein a carrying strap projects through apertured end walls. 1

4 Claims, 9 Drawing; Figures ..229/52 A X I PATENTEOJAN 2191s I 3.708.102

SHEET 2 OF 2 lxvmmk Karl ENGEL 'ATTORNEY ton is closed; J r

1 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closed carton; and

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field oflnvention The field of the present invention concerns packages or receptacles and more particularly to a novel blank for producing a one-piece carton including a hinged lid.

2. Description of Prior Art i The carton of the present invention is particularly adapted for packaging umbrellas, preferably of the foldable-flat type and US. Pats. of this general character are Nos. 3,381,809 and 3,431,925, for example.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel carton and blank, the blank being adapted to be readily assembled and erected as a one-piece ele- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS l These, together with other objects and the nature and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from a consideration of the following description of an exemplary embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing a blank of the invention; e v

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the end walls assembled, an intermediate portion of the blank being omitted;.

smooth finish to the inner corners of the'erected carton. I

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially on the plane of line 3-of H6. 2; V i V FIG.- 4 is a fragmentary perspective end view showing locked inan erected condition; y

FIG. 5 is a vertical section looking substantially from right to left at FIG. 4 and illustrating the manner in which the carton is erected;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the attitude of the parts of FIG. 5, after the inner and outer walls are locked in an erected condition;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view oft he carton showing the manner in which the integral hinged lid is closed and the terminal gusset panel assemblies fold when the carthe manner in which the blank of Fig. 2 is erected and FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED t EMBODIMENT 2 as well as gluing, will be utilized, and the blank can be produced from various types of paperboard, paperboard and plastic laminates, etc.

Considering FlG- l a blank is indicated generally at 10 and comprises a generally rectangulanplanar body element 12 including a central back wall panel element 14 about which closure and tray arrays are indicated generally at 16 and 18, respectively, and are substantially symmetrically disposed. Back wall panel element 14, in the preferred embodiment, is elongated and rectangular being defined by side marginal score lines 20 and 22 and end marginal score lines 24 and 26.

Hingedly connected to the score line 20, i.e., flanking the same, is an outer top wall panel element 28 which is hinged to an outer front wall panel element 30, having hingedly connected thereto an inner reinforcing wall panel element 32 in turn hingedly connected to an inner reinforcing front wall panel element 34. The hinge lines between the just-mentioned wall panel elements, i.e. shown. r

Flanking the opposite side at hinge line 22 of the back wall panel element 14 is the array 18 including the bottom wall panel element 42 hinged at 44 to an outer front'wall panel element 46 which in turn is hinged at 48 to an innerreinforcing panel element 50, likewise hinged at52j to an inner reinforcing bottom wall panel element 54.

In actual practice, the width and dimensions of the hinged closure formed by the wall panel elementarray 16 will produce a hinge. closure which is of slightly greater widththan the bottom or tray produced by the array 18 so that the bottom will be telescoped into the detail, when the blank is assembled panels 30, 32 will be in juxtaposed or overlyingrelationship as will wall panel elements 28, 34. Likewise, panel elements 46,50

will be in overlying or juxtaposed relation as will wall panel elements 42, 54. Extending transversely through the blank and at the hinge or fold line 38 is: a circular opening 56 which will form, in the assembled and erected carton, see. FIGS. 8 and 9, a semi-circula finger-accessible notch portion 56.

Hingedly connected to opposite ends of the back wall panelelement 14 are gusset: fold assemblies indicated generally at 58 and 60. The assembly 58 includes triangular segments 62, 64 and 66, while the assembly 60 comprises triangular segments 68, and 72. Since these assemblies are identical, only assembly 58 will be described in detail. Triangular segment 62 is an isoscelestriangle with its broad base coinciding with the end margin 24 and the opposite sides thereof intersecting centrally and continuing as free margins defining sides of the segments 64 and 66 as seen. The radiating or intersecting side margins of segments 62 define a common fold line with the segments 64 and 66, and the bases of the triangular segments 64 and 66, respectively, are colinear with the projection of the side marginal define opposite ends of wall panel elements 28, 30, 32,

36, 38 and 40, are mutually parallel as as well as wall panel elements 42, 46 and 50, the reference numerals 24 and 26 will be used to define the end margins of all of these respective wall panel elements. I-Iingedly connected to opposite ends of the outer top wall panel element 28, i.e., at the projection of the fold lines 24 and 26, are outer end wall panel elements 74 and 76, which include, if desired, a pre-ap.

plied glue area 78 and 80, respectively, and hingedly connected to the ends of elements 74 and 76 are-inner reinforcing end wall panel elements 82 and 84. Each of the inner reinforcing end wall panel elements 82 and 84 have in their outer corners a substantially L-shaped cutout portion 86 and 88, respectively, which provides a portion of the lock means for the erected carton. The wall panel elements 82 and 84 have extending beyond the side marginal fold thereof a lock tab 90 and 92,

. respectively.

The panel elements 80 and 84 have formed therein transverse apertures 94 and 94, which are alignable in the erected carton and which preferably have a weakened score line 96 extending transversely therebetween through the intervening or common fold line between these two wall elements. The outer bottom wall panel element 42 is substantially a mirror image ofthe previously described structure, and thus to simplify the description, it is believed sufficient to state that wall panel element 42 has hingedly connected thereto outerend wall panel elements 74' and 76 in turn hingedly connected to inner reinforcing end wall panel elements 82 and 84'. The panel elements 74', 76' having the glue areas as in the previously described end wall panel elements 95 and 95'. The wall panel element 76, 84 have transverse apertures. Further, in addition to the cutout portions 86', 88' of the respective reinforcing end wall panel elements 82, and 84, lock tabs 90, 92' respectively, are provided.

The outer front wall panel elements 30 and 46, respectively include in hinged relation between the ends thereof and adjacent ends of the outer end wall panel elements 74, 76 and 74', 76', gusset panel assemblies 98 and 100, and 98 and 100'. Only the assembly 98 will be described in detail since the remaining assemblies are substantially identical or are mirror images. The foldable gusset panel assembly 98 comprises mutually hinged triangular segments 102' and 104 having a hinge line 103 common with the outer end wall panel elements 74 and the terminal end of the outer front wall panel element 30, respectively.

The inner reinforcing wall panel wall elements 32 and 54 have projecting laterally from the end margins, foldable lock tabs 106 and 108,106 and 108. Tab 106 is of an area and configuration corresponding to cutout portion 86 ofthe reinforcing end wall 82, while lock tab 108 corresponds to cutout 88 of the reinforcing end wall 84. Likewise, tab 106 corresponds to cutout 86,

while tab 108 corresponds to cutout 88.

Assembly of the blank of FIG. 1 is a relatively simple procedure in which outer reinforcing end wall panel elements 82, 82' and 84, 84 are folded inwardly and in juxtaposed relation on the glue areas 78, 80 at the outer end wall panel element 74, 76, respectively, and the suitable glue areas on the inner surfaceof end wall panel elements 74, 76', see FIG. 2. Considering FIG. 2, to simplify the application of reference numerals, an rays 16 and l8'are indicated generally and reinforcing Considering FIG. 4, the array 16 is shown in the I process of being erected; note outer wall panel element 28 will have folded normal thereto, at its end, juxtaposed and glued outer and inner end wall panel elements 74, 82; the gusset panel assembly 98 being folded inwardly and into overlying relationship with respect to the inner surface of the front wall panel 30; the tab 90 will be folded alongside the triangular segment 102, and the notch 86 will be located adjacent the end margin of panel 28 opening toward the side edge margin 36.

Considering FIGS. and 6, continued folding in the direction indicated by the direction arrow on FIG. 5 resultsin the locked-up structure shown at the corner of FIG. 6 in which tab 106 eventually is received in coplanar relation in the cutout 86, the gusset fold assembly 98 and the lock tab 90, respectively, are disposed between outer and inner wall panel elements 30 and 32, and inner wall panel element 34 lies on the inner surface of wall panel element 28.

The assembled bottom or tray portion of thearray 18, as well as the lid or closure formed from the array 16, may be laid out flat to facilitate loading of the carton, see FIG. 7, with an umbrella or similar article. The apertures in the end walls of the assembled and erected carton include a weakened portion 97 which permit the end wall structure tobe fractured and a carrying handle, i.e., flexible thong, may be readily passed through the slot. When the carton is to be closed in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, this closing being initiated as shown in FIG. 7, the gusset fold assemblies 58 andare folded inwardly and tend to jam at the inner corners of the closed carton to aid in retaining the carton closed.

Not only are substantially all of the walls of the double thickness, but when utilizing laminates, which can be readily applied to the outer and inner surfaces of the blank, and when the carton is assembled and erected, not only isthe art work on the outer surface of the carton, but inner surface of the carton may. include directions as to how to operate or erect the device which is packaged in the carton.

Iclaim:

l. A blank for producing a one-piece, foldable-flat,

hinged-lid carton having reinforced walls comprising:

a blank element including a back wall panel element about which remaining portions of the carton blank are generally symmetrical,

said back wall panel element being flanged at one side margin by a hingedly connected outer bottom wall panel element,

an outer front wall panel element, an inner front wall reinforcing panel element, and an inner reinforcing'bottom wall'panel element, I

said back wall panel element being flanked at the opposite side margin by a hingedly connected outer top wall panel element, a second outer front wall panel element, an inner reinforcing front wall panel element, and an inner reinforcing top wall panel element, 1

said wall panels having colinear end margins, said back and outer wall panel elements including at the end margins thereof gusset panel fold assemblies, 1 I

the gusset panel fold assemblies at opposite ends of said said outer bottom and top wall panel elements including outer end wall panels at the end margin and hingedly connected to a gusset panel fold assembly at'opposite ends,

said outer end wall panels including a hingedly con- 5 nected inner end wall panel reinforcing element having'a cut-out portion at one side thereof, said inner front wall reinforcing panel elements including lateral lock tabs at opposite ends thereof and projecting beyond the end margins, said lock tabs corresponding to said cut-out portions and receivable therein when said blank is assembled and erected as a carton,

said innerend wall reinforcing panel elements ineludes lock tabs projecting laterally therefrom and above the gusset panel fold assemblies at the end of the outer front wall panel elements.

2. The blank element as claimed in claim 1 in which front wall panel elements comprise a pair of triangular segments hingedly connected on a mutual foldline radiating from intersection of'the end and side margins of the respective outer bottom and top wall panel elements. v V

3. The blank element as claimed in claim 2 in which the gusset panel fold assembly at opposite ends of said back wall panel element comprises three triangular segments, one of which having intersecting side -margins radiating from the intersection of the end and side rnargins of the back wall panel element.

4. The blank element as claimed in claim -1 in which the outer'and inner wall panel elements at one end of said bottom and top wall panel element, respectively, include alignable transverse apertures connected by a weakened line extending transversely through the hinge line therebetween for forming a keyhole slot for receiving a carrying handle therethrough. 

1. A blank for producing a one-piece, foldable-flat, hinged-lid carton having reinforced walls comprising: a blank element including a back wall panel element about which remaining portions of the carton blank are generally symmetrical, said back wall panel element being flanged at one side margin by a hingedly connected outer bottom wall panel element, an outer front wall panel element, an inner front wall reinforcing panel element, and an inner reinforcing bottom wall panel element, said back wall panel element being flanked at the opposite side margin by a hingedly connected outer top wall panel element, a second outer front wall panel element, an inner reinforcing front wall panel element, and an inner reinforcing top wall panel element, said wall panels having colinear end margins, said back and outer wall panel elements including at the end margins thereof gusset panel fold assemblies, said outer bottom and top wall panel elements including outer end wall panels at the end margin and hingedly connected to a gusset panel fold assembly at opposite ends, said outer end wall panels including a hingedly connected inner end wall panel reinforcing element having a cut-out portion at one side thereof, said inner front wall reinforcing panel elements including lateral lock tabs at opposite ends thereof and projecting beyond the end margins, said lock tabs corresponding to said cut-out portions and receivable therein when said blank is assembled and erected as a carton, said inner end wall reinforcing panel elements includes lock tabs projecting laterally therefrom and above the gusset panel fold assemblies at the end of the outer front wall panel elements.
 2. The blank element as claimed in claim 1 in which the gusset panel fold assemblies at opposite ends of said front wall panel elements comprise a pair of triangular segments hingedly connected on a mutual foldline radiating from intersection of the end and side margins of the respective outer bottom and top wall panel elements.
 3. The blank element as claimed in claim 2 in which the gusset panel fold assembly at opposite ends of said back wall panel element comprises three triangular segments, one of which having intersecting side margins radiating from the intersection of the end and side margins of the back wall panel element.
 4. The blank element as claimed in claim 1 in which the outer and inner wall panel elements at one end of said bottom and top wall panel element, respectively, include alignable transverse apertures connected by a weakened line extending transversely through the hinge line therebetween for forming a ''''keyhole'''' slot for receiving a carrying handle therethrough. 